JOAN MARIE CONMY

Joan Murray entered my life Sept 1968. She sat in front of me (Carolyn Nitka) in homeroom as we started our freshman year at Cardinal Dougherty High School. My father died unexpectedly that same week at the age of 52, a memory that still makes me cry. Joan's friendship was a lifeline. Joan and I had a lot in common, including a love of reading. Mitch Albom was a favorite author. The premise of his book, The 5 People you Meet in Heaven, is upon dying we'll be escorted on our final journey...

Joan's super power was nurturing and loving everyone who came into her orbit. There's a line of dialogue in the movie As Good as it Gets that Jack Nicholson says to Helen Hunt: You make me want to be a better man. Having loved and been loved by Joan has made us better human beings. Lucky us.

Joan's spirit is with me all the time. She still inspires and encourages me. When we were in high school, Joan sewed patches on a denim jacket to make a truly unique creation that she loved. My father-in-law who was a sergeant major in the army died in 1984, my mother-in-law who died in 2001saved the buttons from his uniforms . Joan made a button bracelet for me with them. I just found his military patches. I'm having them sewn on the back of a white denim jacket. When I wear it, I'll...

May her memory be as a blessing.

Joan will never be forgotten . I read somewhere the love you give and the love you receive are really the only things that matter. Joan's being was composed of love. I think of her and miss her almost every day and know how blessed I was to have her in my life.

I think of Joan each day! Im so thankful for the model hospital school teacher she was. I strive and continue to live up to her high standard that she imprinted upon CHOP. I keep turtle Tuesday ongoing in Joans memory.

Many years ago I had the pleasure to volunteer at Northwest Ambulance Corp. with Joan and Jim. Joan (and Jim) was one of the most kind, thoughtful, caring person (people) I have ever met. One memory of Joan and Jim was a Halloween party. They had the BEST pin the tale on the donkey I have ever played.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Joan and her family this Christmas.

So sorry to hear of Joan's passing. I was extremely touched when Joan and Jim came to visit me at UOP Hospital. I hoped to rekindle a friendship we had long ago. Joan was special and I cherish the memories!

Joan was such a nice person. I met her when she joined the Cardinal Dougherty Alumni Drill Team. She always had something nice to say. I didn't see her for awhile and then last April she attended the CD Band and Drill team reunion. She was just as sweet as I remembered her. I'm happy I had the chance to meet her.
Jim and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anne Schneider Cuccinello
Class of l969 -Alumni Drill team